Milwaukee-based Unity in Motion Inc recently received $10,000 from the Helen Bader Foundation to continue its mentoring, literacy, and educational outreach to under served city youth.
“This generous grant provides more opportunity for donors, volunteers and other agencies to contribute to our work while helping to build alliances with other local non-profit agencies and schools to maximize expertise, knowledge and creativity,” said Allen Ruppel, executive director and founder of Unity in Motion. “This grant will aid us in our goal to provide youth with the skills needed to succeed while ultimately instilling the core value of providing service to others.”
The Unity in Motion Inc. program is a partnership between UIM and participating youth and families in the Milwaukee Central City. The program aids the youth in the development of their social, emotional and intellectual skills, and helps them acquire the financial resources to reach their post secondary educational goals.
UIM originally conceived the curriculum in 2000 as a series of no-cost martial arts classes for neighborhood children. As UIM evolved the program began requiring students to complete a literacy component both inside and outside of the classroom, and perform a set number of community service hours before teaching more advanced physical exercises and awarding youth with evidence of accomplishment based on a martial arts belt system.
“At a young age, the role of just one caring adult can be pivotal,” said Maria Lopez Vento, program officer at the Helen Bader Foundation. “We want UIM to build on its success, and to continue making a difference in our city’s youth.”
